After three games on the road where they won a pair after dropping on, the Portland Winterhawks headed home to begin a five-game homestand.
Portland faced a team that is expected to be near the top of the US Division in the Everett Silvertips in their home opener.
Portland electrified the home crowd just over two minutes into the game with a James Stefan ringer set up by Gabe Klassen and Diego Buttazoni. 12 minutes later while on the powerplay, the tandem of Klassen to Stefan put the Hawks up by a pair.
The Hawks started early in the second as Jack O’Brien capitalized on a Josh Davies helper, and the home squad was up by three.
Everett responded with a Cabe Zaplitny marker on the powerplay. However, Portland ended the period by regaining the three-goal stranglehold when Luke Schelter scored a few minutes later.
Portland was heavily outshot 43 to 25, but Jan Spunar, in between the pipes for the Hawks, shut the door. Portland ran into penalty trouble during the game, mainly during the second frame, allowing Everett 7 powerplay chances, with them only scoring once. Portland was 1 for 4, the last two in the third period towards the end of the game, mostly in frustration. Over 4 thousand took in the game at the VMC.
The Hawks won 4 to 1.
The win was number 500 for General Manager and Coach of the Winterhawks Mike Johnston, who joins a club now numbering 11
At the top.is former Winterhawks Assistant Coach Don Hay, who has 750. He’s now the Assistant Coachwitn Kamloops, who incidentally has a coach in Shaun Clauston, who is just into the .500 Club.
Next up for the Hawks was the Vancouver Giants, who will likely go for a run with the Prince George Cougars, who have blazed to a solid start early in the year.
First up was the Fan Fest held before the game on the concourse of the VMC. There are opportunities to grab food, win prizes, and see the team head into battle with the Giants on a hot Fall day.
The Hawks were as hot as the weather when they tamed Vancouver 6 to 2 bidirectional, just over 4,000 at the VMC.
It wasn’t even close. Luca Cagnoni fired up the crowd just over four minutes in, followed less than a minute later by Diego Buttazoni.
Vancouver replied 3 minutes later, but it seemed to ignite the Hawks more.
Just before the fifteen mark, Carter Southern and Diego Buttazoni, with his second of the night while on the powerplay, ended the first period up 4 to 1.
Diego Buttazoni capped off the hat trick near the midway mark of the second period and Josh Davies added one just over a minute later with both on the powerplay. The second period ended 6 to 1. Vancouver tallied one in the third period but fell heavily to the Hawks 6 to 2
Shots were 41-25 Portland, with the Hawks 3 for 6 on the powerplay to 1-4 Vancouver.
Mike Johnston at win 501 needs one win to move into the top ten over 500 wins. He’ll get that chance on Friday the 13th when Seattle pays a visit.
The Hawks seem to like six a lot, with most of their wins netting six goals. While that can’t keep up forever, it’s a frightening stat for teams to play Portland right now.
